Clean.

I'm Thrifting Again.

(Edited to say: Wow. I admit that the story set up on this post is long before you even get to a picture, but so worth the wait. Don't peek ahead at the photos or you'll spoil the surprise. Ready? Go!)

I broke my fast.

I went thrifting. And it was wonderful. (I know, I know. I swore it off. Back when everything that wasn't nailed down was leaving with a one-way ticket to said thrift store.) But I got the itch. I'm not sure what fired me up. Maybe contemplating finding some wee stocking stuffers for the holidays or the sweater I desperately wanted to get me through the winter.

So I went for it. And I found a couple of wee kid gifts. And my new favorite sweater. And Pete's brand spanking new Mountainsmith lumbar pack (for a mere $1.99, the likes of which I looked up on-line and contemplated buying new just three days before). But those were nothing. Nothing I tell you. Because I scored. In a big way.

But before I share the day's loot with you, I need to tell you a story.

When I was a child the Thanksgiving and Christmas table at my grandparents' house was always set with my grandparents china, silver, and a beloved collection of mix-and-match vintage water goblets. The goblets were my sister's and my favorite part of the table setting, and we would agonize each year over who got which goblet. The coveted cabbage glass was the prize that we all wanted each holiday. (Being the little sister I rarely triumphed, but like Pavlov's dogs the deliciousness of winning the cabbage glass once in a while was enough to keep me going.) The goblets signified the holidays and now, in hindsight, also symbolize my Grandmother and who she was to Leah and I.

Fast forward twenty or so years. Through a convoluted (read:sad) story that I won't go into, many of my grandparents treasures were lost after the death of my grandmother. The water goblets (of which Grandma often said, "When I die, those have your name on them!" to me) were among the casualties, sold to an antique collector or some such silliness. And every year, every holiday, I miss the glasses and my Grandma simultaneously. For more than a decade every time I have gone thrifting I have my eyes peeled, searching over the tacky glassware, waiting to discover a glass from Grandma's collection and start rebuilding what was lost. (I found one once seven years ago and gave it to my Mom for Christmas. It was a cabbage glass. She cried.)

On Thursday we enjoyed our Thanksgiving celebration at my sister's house in Milwaukee. As I stirred (and stirred, and stirred) the risotto beside her, Leah and I began reminiscing about the water goblets. "I want to recreate that set," I told her. "Keep your eyes out for them when you're thrifting." (On Thursday. That was Thursday.)

On Saturday Leah and I went out for brunch. We decided to spend the rest of the day thrifting, something we haven't done together for years. We cruised around the South Side of Milwaukee hitting some surreal stores that looked like tornadoes had recently ripped through and thrown most of the merchandise on the floor.

Especially the first stop. We almost didn't go in it was such a mess. But that first stop was the gold mine.

We found lots of random cast off treasures - a pottery chicken, an art deco pitcher, a 1970's crewelwork tree stump. And then we headed to the glassware isle. Twice Leah thought she saw a water goblet from the set, but didn't. And then, as Leah put it, "I though you had a stroke." Because I freaked. There on the shelf of plastic cups and pitchers and ice cube trays was this:

The coveted cabbage glass! But not just one...

Six. Six vintage glass cabbage goblets, haphazardly bundled together with packing tape like some awkward bouquet, bearing a handwritten masking tape price tag: $2.04. For the set. I could not contain myself, nor did I try. Any pride or composure I may have had melted away and I laughed and danced around like a crazy lady in that messed up thrift store. 

Manifestation? Hell yeah. Loving the thrift? Most definitely. I'll be back, freaky south side thrift store.

And Grandma, we miss you. On Thanksgiving and always.

(Simple) Handmade Holiday Gifts.

 The arrival of Thanksgiving rockets me into a tiny panic of counting the days until our Solstice and Christmas celebrations. How many crafting days do I have left? (Just enough is always the answer.)

What about you? Are you feeling crafting this season? I thought I'd throw together a list of quick and simple crafts that you (or you and your children) can create for loved ones. For new crafters or experienced folks looking for some fresh ideas, this list might just jump-start some creating. Happy crafting!

Hand dyed play silks: I posted this tutorial for dying silks with kool aide last winter. Obviously great playthings for kids, and if you buy wearable sizes, these are elegant gifts for adults too.

Homemade Vanilla: There is still time! But this one you'll want to start fast. Split 12 vanilla beans lenght-wise, scrape the seeds, and add it all to a pint jar. Cover with good quality vodka. Let sit 4-6 weeks. Pour into bottles with 1 fresh vanilla bean per bottle. Yay, homemade! Amy posted a simple tutorial too if you want photos.

Simple sack doll: This seems like an ambitious project if you have never made a Waldorf doll, but even a sewer with only minimal experience can make in a few evenings. Really. Easy! And treasured forever. I poked around on-line and found this tutorial, but the Bunting Doll Kit here would be a great choice as well.

Recipe Kits: I have given recipe kits as standard holiday faire for years. Pick your theme (Ice Cream, Grilling out, Pancakes, etc.). Then transfer your favorite 5 or 6 recipes to cards and package up all the non-perishable ingredients for each batch. Throw in a thrifted vintage apron or spatula and you're good to go. (Random side note: One year my best friend and I both gave each other pancake kits with spatulas. It was simultaneously awesome and eerie.)

Natural Play Dough: Easy peasy! And a guaranteed winner. What's not to love about play dough? Here is a tutorial I posted last year for. (You can even substitute gluten free flour for the wheat if you are making the dough for a little one who is GF.)

Homemade Mustards: When I was in college I gave homemade pretzels and mustard (recipe courtesy of Martha) for holiday gifts one year. They were a huge hit (and cheap and easy to boot). I shared the recipes with my friend Denise who gives them for holiday gifts every year. Homemade mustard is easy. Ridiculously so. (And good. Ridiculously so.) But plan ahead a bit, as you'll want to give it a couple of weeks to develop.

Felt Crown: Another forever gift for your child, a crown is a key accessory around our place. You can make one for all of your favorite little people personalized with favorite colors or embellishments. There is a lovely tutorial here that I use to determine length for my front, back, and elastic. I then cut the shape to my own taste and embellish in my own style.

Tree Blocks: For the woodworking type, making simple Waldorf-style blocks are easy peasy. I made mine in an afternoon with some minor guidance from a friend when Sage was two. Find some windfallen lumber and a good saw and you're set. Here is a tutorial, with my edit to not varnish them but rub with a blend of beeswax and jojoba oil if you desire a finish.

Wool Christmas Stockings: These were a quick and impressive project. I can't wait to hang them again this year. Here is my post from last December on how I created them.

Knitted or Croched "Cinnamon Buns" and Play Ropes: For cinnamon buns use your biggest needles or hook to work up long narrowish scarves out of thick wool. For knitting, cast on 10 stitches, and knit is garter stitch (knitting every row) until they are 4 to 6 feet long. Roll them up (thus "cinnamon buns") and tuck into a basket for open ended play. For ropes, crochet thick yarn into ropes of various lengths and colors. You'll be amazed what they are used for! A small basket full is a playroom necessity around here. A great first knitting project or stash buster!

Enjoy the process, and try to not put too many projects on your plate. That can suck the joy out of any holiday. Consider making duplicates for the people on your list (everyone gets vanilla, for example). It will speed up your crafting time considerably. 

Love,
Rachel

P.S. Yesterday's giveaway is still open, so throw your name in that hat if you haven't already done so!

 

LuSa Organics Giveaway.

I love LuSa.

And that makes sense. It is my business after all. (That's baby Lupine and I cutting soap a few years back.)

But it is more than just that. I really love LuSa. Even if it weren't my business I would still buy our products. Because they work better for my sensitive skin than anything I've tried before and they smell dreamy. 

I'd also buy LuSa because it is not made by a big corporation, but by an actual family. (I have a tendency to root for the little guy. In this case that would be me.) And the ingredients are ethical and top notch. And we are really nice people to boot. What's not to love?

And what about you?

Some of you have found your way to Clean because you already love LuSa. Others have only heard of LuSa because of coming to visit me here. Let's mix it up a little. If you are an existing customer I'd love to hear why you love LuSa. Why are you hopelessly in love with what we create? If you're new to LuSa I'd love to encourage you to give us a try. It's how we make our living. It's how I write this blog. And it's really fantastic stuff, I tell you. You'll be so happy you did.

Today I am hosting my own giveaway for a $50 LuSa Organics gift certificate. Keep it, share it, do some holiday shopping with it. It's up to you. Such a delicious opportunity to bring some good smells into your world.

And for everyone I'm offering free standard US shipping on all orders over $60 between now and December 20, 2010. (International customers - email me for your special shipping discount code.) Use coupon code "SHIPCLEAN" during checkout, then choose "free shipping" from the shipping menu.

 

To enter the drawing, do any or all of the following ~

1. Leave a comment stating one of the following:

A) For existing customers, share something you love about LuSa Organics. Product, philosophy, story... anything.

B) For future/potential/almost customers mention a product from our website that you would be interested in trying or tell us what it would take for you to make your first purchase.

2. For a second entry, invite a friend or two to enter our drawing as well (use Facebook, Twitter, your blog, email, or your trusty telephone). This will be the honor system. Link to your post or let us know how you invited your friends in your comment. 

3. And finally, for a third go, let us know what future LuSa product you would be most interested in trying of we decide to make it:

• Nipple Balm (for nursing mum)
• Liquid Soap (foamy perhaps)
• Room Freshener (spray essential oils)
• Best Ever Natural Deodorant (guaranteed to really work)
• Or make your own suggestion of a great new product!

I'll close comments by Wednesday and announce a winner in this post.

Congratulations to Alyssa T who said:

girl, if you make an all natural deodorent that works, you've got me! love your blog and the friends we share...

Comments are now closed. Winner will be announced soon!

And if you really really love LuSa and find yourself inexplicably pumped today, we welcome your reviews on Diaper Pin (especially Booty Balm or Baby Wipe Juice) or the Cosmetics Database. Also immensely helpful are your testimonials and reviews on the forums and discussion groups you participate in. These make all the difference to us and help us build trust with new customers.

Thanks for your unwavering support and love. We're so grateful for each of you!

Thankful.

We leave soon for Thanksgiving celebrations with my family. Before we go, there is still much to be done. Today is a kitchen day, destined for pie baking (by Sage - the latest passionate chef around here - who recently requested no more "pesky mama help" in the kitchen), bread baking (this will keep Lupine and I busy while Sage makes pumpkin magic happen), and some raw cranberry relish.

And we still need to cut out leaves for our gratitude tree! But there is so much gratitude already. I count my blessings daily, but during these long dark days even more so.

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Today I am filled with gratitude for...

...Pete returning home from his latest journey and the warm welcome he received from both of our kids. (This papa-love is a new phenomenon for our smaller one.)

...My parents. Their respect of my (different from their) parenting choices means more to me than they can imagine.

...Children who live passionately, think freely, know themselves, and believe in magic.

...Raw milk in my fridge. So fresh it was still warm yesterday.

...The rhythm of the knitting needles in my hands.

...The future.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

What are your thankful for?

A Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree.

This is an edited re-post from last winter. I wanted to share it again for the many new folks as well as a reminder for those of you who read it last year. A simple tradition, the Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree transformed our holiday last year.

In my family, where deer hunting comes before all else, Thanksgiving could easily feel like an afterthought. But this year we gathered together and celebrated with intention and gratitude. It was a sincere celebration of family, love, and appreciation.

 

The new tradition we created this Thanksgiving was a Gratitude Tree. A friend mentioned that she was creating a Thanksgiving Tree on her holiday table this year. She explained the concept and with a little bit of Googling I found dozens of variations on the idea. We jumped on board, and I suspect we'll do it every year.

The concept is simple: create a "tree" on your holiday table with a branch, ornament stand, or small tree. Provide guests with paper leaves, pens and a simple question: What are your grateful for? Throughout the evening, guests quietly penned the important things in their lives on leaves and suspending them from the tree.

 

After the table was cleared we gathered for a glass of wine and took turns reading the anonymous blessings. Some authors were easy to determine ("I love Sager. I love Sager. I love Sager" or "I am grateful for my wife putting up with my hunting for the past 40 years."), while others were more difficult to determine ("I am grateful for my loving wife and two kids.").

For me it was meaningful to hear my family express with such depth on this special day.

 Thanks, Denise, for the inspiration!

How to Make Paper Lanterns

The days here in the north are growing shorted. By dinner time the outdoors are immersed in complete darkness, and when we wake in the morning the sun is still nowhere to be seen. And the days are growing shorter still.

To celebrate the light that shines within each of us (even during these darkest days) the children and I made paper lanterns and carried them out into the darkness for a bedtime walk. The lanterns represent the brightness we bring to the dark, and the positive effect our bright spirits bring.

The process of making the lanterns is more simple than you might imagine. We loosely interpreted the pattern for Martinmas lanterns from this lovely book (another recommended read) as our jumping off point. I have shared our version of the lanterns below.

Supplies

Watercolor paints

Watercolor paper (ours is approximately 14" x 20", purchased here)

Ruler

Scissors

Pencil

Craft knife

Cutting mat or board

Kite or tissue paper

Glue stick

White glue

5 spring-type clothespins per lantern

Yarn or wire for handle

Hole punch (optional)

Fireproofing spray (optional)

Instructions

1. Create a simple watercolor painting. Allow to dry completely. (You will have enough paper for two lanterns from each piece of paper.)

2. On the back of your painting carefully mark the following measurements with pencil and a straight edge:

• Divide the painting in half with a horizontal line. To simplify, you may cut your paper into these two long thin strip now. (Our strips were 7 1/2" tall and almost 20" long)
• Parallel to your original cut mark two lines: one 1/2 inch down from the top and a second line 2" up from the bottom. These will form the top lip and the bottom of the lantern.
• Perpendicular to your original line, begin at the left and measure in 1". Mark line. This will be an overlapping piece used to form the lantern during the final steps of the project.
• From this 1" mark, measure five 3 1/2" panels and mark. These will be the five window panels.
• Cut off any excess after your last 3 1/2" panel.

3. Score all lines using a straight edge. (This will make folding your lantern easier.) 

4. Cut tabs for the top and bottom of your lantern by cutting all lines above and below your two long horizontal lines. (Confused? See two photos below for a visual of where you cut.) These tabs will overlap and form the bottom and the top lip of the lantern when you glue the lantern together.

5. With a pencil, draw the shapes you desire for windows on the back of your paper strip. Think simple forms - circles, stars, even rectangular "windows".

6. Use a craft knife (X-acto type) to carefully cut out the windows.

7. Flip over your painting and admire your work! Add additional details if desired with hole punch or craft knife. I used a small circular hole punch to embellish ours.

8. Cut kite paper windows the size of your main panels. Glue into place with glue stick and smooth.

(Note: the next step requires a teeny bit of patience. At least it did for me. The lantern has a propensity to spring open while you are encouraging it to stay closed. Hang tight! You are almost done, and you are smarter than the glue.)

9. Fold your lantern carefully into shape, creasing each scored line firmly. Observe where the flaps overlap on the top, side, and bottom. Apply a thin layer of white glue on each overlapping point, then refold the lantern pressing the glued panels together. (These will be triangles of glue on one end of each flap.) Be consistent with the end you glue (all on the left, for example) so that you can neatly close one flap after another and end up with a firm secure bottom.

10. Use a clothespin at each overlapping point on the top of the lantern to hold the tabs together until the glue is set. Before the glue is all the way dry remove the clothespins. (This way you don't accidentally tear the lantern when you remove the clips). 

10. Cover the hole in the bottom of your lantern with a scrap of watercolor paper approximately the size of the base of your lantern. Secure with more glue.

11. Punch two holes in the lantern's top rim and string through some wire or wool yarn. Knot yarn securely and add a tea light candle, securing to the bottom with poster putty (if you, like me, lack poster putty gum will work in a pinch, and adds a minty smell to the whole event.) (One thought: for those of you with young children or a concern of you little one holding a paper box with fire inside, battery powered tea lights are a good choice. I believe that the responsibility of holding a lantern with a candle inside is wonderful for a child, but perhaps that should wait until they are 4 or 5.

12. You are done! Now just wait for nightfall and take your lantern with you to spread a bit of light into the darkness.